Feb. 4 - Former First Team All-Canadian and Junior National Team member Chris Meehan (4th yr, middle, Clearwater, BC) made his long awaited home debut and had the Spartan Faithful on their feet several times with some key blocks (six in total, including two solo) in Friday night's 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 25-18, 25-23) men's volleyball win over the visiting #5-ranked Manitoba Bisons. The win extends the Spartans' winning streak to 11 matches.

In the first game, TWU had the early momentum and extended their lead to three, 13-10, following five consecutive serves by Jeff Stel (3rd yr, outside, Langley, BC). But the tide turned late in the game, as the Bisons fought their way back to take the lead 20-19 on a kill by Sean Jones, closing the deal on a TWU service error.

A determined Spartan squad emerged in the second set-determined to preserve home court advantage and their winning momentum heading into the home stretch of the regular season. After trailing much of the game, Steve Rogalsky's (2nd yr, rightside, Maple Ridge, BC) consecutive service aces (14-14, 15-14) proved to be the turning point. Consecutive solo blocks by Meehan on Jones preserved the Spartan lead (20-18, 21-18) and proved to be the highlight of the match until Meehan one-upped himself and gave the fans their money's worth with a monster kill from the middle on a quick set from Jon Rowe (4th yr, setter, Kelowna, BC) to put the score at 22-19. Two plays later Meehan and Rogalsky hooked up for one of their many blocks, followed by a kill by Seth Schalk (3rd yr, leftside, Red Deer, AB) for the game-winner and the match tie at one game apiece.

TWU's Rogalsky put on a hitting display in the third set, going off for six of his 16 kills and leading the Spartans to a match-high eight-point, 20-12 lead over the Bisons. A service error by Manitoba's Nathan Toews ended the game at 25-18 and set the stage for the fourth game.

With both teams having clinched playoff spots, tonight's match was more about seeding for the Canada West quarterfinals-and, since Manitoba is currently tied with Winnipeg for fifth in the conference, and TWU has at least a second place finish locked up, the Bisons were the team with something to lose.

The fourth game was a tightly fought contest, with the score seesawing back and forth as each team put forth their best effort. Manitoba appeared to be holding just enough of a lead to push the match to a fifth set, but the Spartans battled back to tie it up at 22 following a huge rally and a kill by Rogalsky that found open court. An ace by Schalk and a kill by Stel rounded out the game and the match for the win.

Rogalsky had a match-high 16 kills on 37 attacks, as well as nine digs, three service aces, and two block assists to lead the home team, while Matt Balchin led Manitoba with 13 kills (44.0%) and five digs.

TWU and Manitoba will meet again Saturday night at 8:00pm at David E. Enarson Gymnasium in the Spartans' final regular season home match. Senior Appreciation Night will spotlight graduating seniors Jaben Schalk (5th yr, libero, Red Deer, AB) and Jon Rowe.

Match Notes: the two teams combined for 28 service errors...TWU had 7 aces while Manitoba had zero...Spartan men's volleyball continues to add to their team record for wins in a regular season, now at 14...

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